Horne Announces South Phoenix Crack Dealer Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

PHOENIX (Thursday, January 10, 2013) – Attorney General Tom Horne announced today that Toren Watson has been sentenced to an aggravated term of 12 years in prison for his role in a large-scale crack cocaine distribution ring in South Phoenix.

“Today we obtained a tough sentence for a crack dealer responsible for poisoning our Arizona neighborhoods and communities. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. This office will see that drug dealers see the full force of the justice system,” Horne said.

Toren Watson was identified during a 5-month long multi-agency investigation targeting individuals, including gang members, responsible for the distribution of crack cocaine in the South Phoenix area. At the time of his arrest, Watson was found to be in possession of approximately 3 pounds of crack cocaine having a street value of approximately $40,000, $18,000 in cash and numerous items evidencing the fact that he was engaged in converting substantial quantities of powder cocaine into crack cocaine.

Watson will serve 12 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Assistant Attorney General Liz Barrick from the Drug Enforcement Section handled this case for the Attorney General’s Office.